Abidjan, 16 November, 2017 - A newly released nutrition report by the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa has revealed that undernutrition is still persistent in the region and the number of stunted children has increased. The Africa Nutrition Report, launched today in Abidjan, Ivory Coast also indicates that a growing number of children under five years old are overweight.

On Monday 16 October 2017 the Council adopted the EU Annual Report on Human Rights And Democracy in the World in 2016.

2016 was a challenging year for human rights and democracy, with a shrinking space for civil society and complex humanitarian and political crises emerging. In this context, the European Union showed leadership and remained strongly committed to promote and protect human rights and democracy across the world.

• Many countries across the African continent face recurrent complex emergencies, frequent food insecurity, cyclical drought, and sudden-onset disasters such as earthquakes, floods, and storms. In FY 2016, as in previous years, USAID/OFDA not only responded to urgent needs resulting from disasters, but also supported DRR programs that built resilience and improved emergency preparedness, mitigation, and response capacity at local, national, and regional levels.

Foreword

As we write this, Africa is suffering from the strongest El Niño it has faced in decades, causing major floods and droughts throughout Africa, leading to rising economic losses and major impacts on the lives and livelihoods of millions across the continent. Countries across the continent are declaring states of emergency, and are calling on the international community for support.

The African Public Health Emergency Fund (APHEF or the Fund) was established by the Regional Committee in 2012 with the aim of providing catalytic resources for initiating timely responses to public health emergencies. Ever since, commitments have been made at every subsequent Regional Committee session to improve the functionality of this solidarity fund.

Angola:
A cholera outbreak has been recorded in Cunene Province which has claimed the lives of dozens of people.

Mauritius:
On 28 November 2013, heavy rains were recorded in Mauritius, however no major damage was reported. Some schools were forced to close and unconfirmed reports indicate that approximately 45 houses were affected by water damage, with a total of 279 people accommodated in emergency shelters.

Madagascar:
Jean-Louis Robinson and Hery Rajaonarimampianina are to run against each other in the second round of the Presidential elections scheduled for 20 December.

Mozambique:
A tense political climate surrounds the holding of municipal elections, scheduled for 20 November, with Renamo boycotting the elections and scuffles having reportedly broken out between supporters of Movimento Democrático de Moçambique (MDM) and riot police in Beira over the weekend.

The election results have been officially announced. No candidate received more than 50% of the vote, meaning that Jean-Louis Robinson (with 21.1% of the vote) and Hery Rajaonarimampianina (with 15.9% of the votes) will run against each other in the second round of the presidential elections scheduled for 20 December 2013.

Despite some incidences of violence and voting irregularities, both SADC and EU have declared the presidential elections of 25 October free and fair.

Mozambique:
Mozambique's former rebel group RENAMO (Mozambican National Resistance) has denied responsibility for an armed attack on the country's main highway on 26 October which killed 1 person and injured 10 amid tensions with the FRELIMO (Mozambique Liberation Front) led Government.

Madagascar:
The Presidential elections are scheduled to take place this week on 25 October. It is hoped that these elections will break the political impasse that has affected the country since 2009, but there are also concerns that the elections could trigger unrest.

Mozambique:
According to media reports, 2 RENAMO (Mozambican National Resistance) soldiers were killed on 17 October in confrontations with the Mozambican Army near the Renamo leader’s headquarters.

Four million people in rural Madagascar have been identified as food insecure, with an additional 9.6 million people at risk of food insecurity. The date for the presidential election is drawing near - 25 October 2013.

Malawi

In Malawi, 1.5 million people are food insecure, and this figure is expected to climb to 1.9 million in October 2013.